Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

7-24-1998

Interview Number

MOH 036

Abstract

Edwin H. Pert was an integral part of the Maine Democratic Party from the 1950s to the 1990s. Graduating from the University of Maine at Orono in 1954, Pert got involved with the gubernatorial campaign of Ed Muskie while still in college. Between 1955 and 1957, Pert served in the Army. He was involved in giving soldiers an opportunity to vote in the 1956 Presidential campaign. Upon his return to Maine in 1957, Pert became more involved with organizing the Maine Democratic Party. He became chair of the Sagadahoc County Democratic Committee, and also became Executive Director of the Maine Democratic Party. He ran for legislature from Bath in 1958. He made an unsuccessful attempt at the Maine Senate in 1960. In 1964, he became Secretary of the Senate in Maine, and in 1974, he became Clerk of the House. He remained in that capacity until 1991.

Scope and Content Note

The interview covers such topics as Maine politics in the 1940’s and 1950’s; big box on the ballots; Bath, Maine; young Democrats; political unrest in Maine in the early 1950s; Muskie’s support from Republicans; the plan to make Frank Coffin Governor in 1956; 1954 Democratic state convention; 1954 Democratic platform; Muskie shifting party politics in Maine; registering soldiers in the 1956 election; the Executive Council; serving in the legislature in 1958; losing a seat in 1960; serving as Secretary of the Senate; health of the Maine Democratic party in the 1960s; and serving as Clerk of the House.

Use Restrictions

Copyright Bates College. This transcript is provided for individual Research Purposes Only; for all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, 70 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240-6018.

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